Students will adopt a tree and create their own questions about the tree.

Students will find answers to their questions.

Students will create a final product to show what they learned about their tree.

Students will fill out a KWL chart about trees.

Estimated Time Required:

3 class periods with possible extensions

Materials:

Paper, pencils and crayons.

Books about trees. I Can Name 50 Trees Today by Bonnie Worth is a good example.

KWL chart

Note cards

Procedures:

Day 1

Start a discussion with the class about trees. Ask such questions as how can you tell the age of a tree? And why do their leaves change color? Have students begin filling out a KWL chart during this process. [You can access a KWL chart by clicking the file under Media Links located to the right in the green box.] Write on board what they know and what they want to know or what they wonder about. They can fill this out on their worksheets as you write.

Read a short illustrated book about trees such as I Can Name 50 Trees Today by Bonnie Worth. Have students listen for new information as you read. Complete the KWL chart by having the students write down what they learned.

Go outside and have children “adopt” a tree. They will later do extensive research on this tree.

Instruct them to draw a picture of the tree and use another piece of paper to do a bark rubbing of the tree.

Collect a leaf from the tree and any other additions such as fruit, flowers, or nuts. Put away collection for the next day.

Day 2

Have each student create at least 5 questions about their tree. Of course, everyone will need to identify the tree’s name. You may want to have them use these note cards to organize their information. Go to: http://admin.curiositycreek.org/data/Note_Cards.pdf